Discerning of Spirits - Part 2

.... In our previous posting we discussed how the gift of 'discerning of spirits' is so widely misunderstood, and in particular, the erroneous belief that it should be used in judging prophecy. In this posting we will address a second major theory about this gift, which, unfortunately, is equally wrong: that the gift pertains to the discerning of demon spirits and other forms of demonic activity within the kingdom of darkness.

.... According to this theory, a person who has received this gift can discern what types of demon spirits are involved in any situation, especially a case of demon possession. But in the New Testament there is no evidence of anyone using a ‘spiritual gift’ for such a purpose -- no, not a single example. On the contrary, that sort of conclusion was reached on the basis of factual evidence, even if questions needed to be asked in order to determine it:

.... ‘So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood".’

(Mark 9:21)

.... Paul says that we are not to be ‘ignorant’ of Satan’s devices, not that we have need to discern them (2 Corinthians 2:11). As far as we can tell by Biblical examples, there was no actual gift at work in any case when the presence of a demonic spirit became known. It was simply a conclusion based on evidence, which even unsaved persons could correctly determine. But to prove the point further, let’s talk about the types of ‘demons’ that the proponents of this theory claim to be mentioned in Scripture:

.... When the Bible speaks of ‘a spirit of heaviness’, or a ‘spirit of fear’, etc, it is not talking about a demonic spirit at all (Isaiah 61:3; 2 Timothy 1:7). But rather, it is merely talking about a natural mood or an attitude that may appear within our own human spirit.

.... For example, on a much happier note, we might examine the Scripture that speaks of ‘the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit’ which clearly defines a God-fearing Christian woman (1 Peter 3:4). Or when the Bible speaks of a ‘contrite and humble spirit’, it is clearly referring to attitudes within our own spirit, for those who have pleased God (Isaiah 57:15). Or on a less happy but still godly note, we might look to Hannah who said, "I am a woman of sorrowful spirit." (1 Samuel 1:15).

.... In fact, it is in this sense in which the true gift of discerning of spirits may finally be understood. For the only Scriptural examples of a gift in which spirit may be discerned have to do with the spirits of men:

.... "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you’. And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?’

(Mark 2:5-8)

Or another example:

.... "So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Arise and stand here.’ And he arose and stood."

(Luke 6:7-8)

Or a third example:

.... "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, ‘This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he said, ‘Teacher, say it’."

(Luke 7:39-40)

.... ... And another:

.... "And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? ‘Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have’."

(Luke 24:38-39)

And one more example:

.... "This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked."

(Acts 14:9-10)

.... Is the gift of discerning of spirits in operation through these examples? Let's consider the outcome. The ultimate purpose of every spiritual gift is to allow us to be witnesses to Jesus. In each of these cases, with or without a miracle taking place in conjunction, a testimony of Jesus Himself went forth.

....Let’s contrast this with the theory we’ve just mentioned, whose purpose is to discern demons. In that ‘ministry’, more and more powerful ranks of demons are constantly envisioned, and the tangle of bondage seems ever deeper and more intricate, to make him constantly seem more and more formidable and menacing. The contrasting testimony is jarring, and should speak for itself.

.... We will discuss this further in the ‘comments’ section, and also in the break-out module entitled Spiritual Warfare Revisited.

To proceed to the next lesson, click here

Daily Bible Reading: Galatians 6